Leading Causes of Car Crashes in New Jersey
According to recent reports from the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), 276,861 total car crashes happened on New Jersey municipal, county, state, interstate and toll roadways. Out of those collisions, 59,850 resulted in some sort of serious injuries and 524 resulted in fatalities. Another 216,487 crashes led to property damage only.
If you or someone you know has been in a car crash that was caused by another party, you know first-hand how heartbreaking the aftermath can be – especially if it resulted in serious injuries or tragic death. Although you may be overwhelmed and unsure of what to do, rest assured you are far from being alone. The best thing you can do is to immediately consult with an experienced New Jersey car accident lawyer to protect your legal rights.
5 Common Causes of Car Accidents
The most common car crashes in New Jersey happen on municipal or county roads, NJDOT records show. The leading cause of all accidents in the Garden State is rear-enders, comprising of 23 percent of all crashes. Other common causes of motor vehicle crashes include:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Aggressive driving
- Drunk driving
- Inclement weather
- Road design defect
Who Gets into the Most Car Accidents?
The type of driving behind the wheel can also be a factor in a motor vehicle crash. Below are some of the most common types of drivers who routinely get into accidents:
- Distracted drivers – distracted driving is a serious issue on New Jersey road, especially with the use of cell phones.
- Drunk driver – despite heightened awareness of getting behind wheel intoxicated, drunk driving continues to remain a big problem in the state, and nationwide.
- Young drivers – car crashes are the leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 16 and 20 in New Jersey, according to the NJDOT.
- Holiday drivers – for different reasons, holiday periods can be especially dangerous on the roads of New Jersey. The most dangerous holiday season for the last reported year in the state was the Fourth of July. Other dangerous holiday periods include New Year, Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, Labor Day and Christmas.
When someone is injured by a careless driver or loses a loved one in a car crash, they have the right and the expectation to be fairly compensated for their losses. Although no amount of financial compensation will undo the harm done, it can bring a sense of justice and closure.
Call a New Jersey Car Accident Attorney
If you or someone you know has been injured or wrongfully killed in a car accident caused by the reckless or negligent actions of another party, an experienced attorney can help. Call Beninato & Matrafajlo Attorneys at Law, LLC at 908-248-4404 to schedule a free, complimentary consultation with our legal team today.
Dan T. Matrafajlo, Esq. is the Managing Member and Lead Partner at Beninato & Matrafajlo, Attorneys at Law, LLC, a New Jersey-based personal injury law firm with offices in Elizabeth and East Brunswick. With over two decades of experience representing clients in complex matters—including motor vehicle accidents, workers’ compensation, and wrongful death cases—he has recovered over $100 million on behalf of his clients and is known for securing significant results. He has also helped shape New Jersey personal injury law through notable Appellate Division decisions such as Hardison v. King and Frenklakh v. Lojek, with his litigation work featured in the New Jersey Law Journal, underscoring his authority in the field.
Mr. Matrafajlo was recognized as a Super Lawyers® Rising Stars honoree from 2012 to 2017 and is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum—an honor reserved for attorneys who have achieved multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements. Combining deep legal expertise with a client-focused approach, he provides strategic, results-driven representation while guiding clients through every stage of the legal process. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law and is admitted to practice in both New Jersey and New York.
